When using VoIP for free calls, providers are pretty similar, and the best one for you is really a personal preference. The crucial thing is to ensure you both have the same app. Also factor in your handset type and if you want to make video calls.
Most popular free web calls service - but calls to real phone numbers cost more
SKYPE
Used by over 600 million people around the world, Skype is the biggest name in VoIP, letting you make free voice or video calls to other Skype users.
You can use it on PCs and Macs (with speakers and a headset) and even on some smart TVs. To use it on your mobile, download the free mobile app (works on iPhones, Android phones and Windows phones). You can also make Skype calls using your landline via a home phone adapter, or a cordless home phone with Skype already built in.
Whichever way you choose, if the person you're calling has Skype too, you won't pay. So someone using Skype on an iPhone in the UK to call someone using Skype on their TV in the US is free, for example.
Never automatically use Skype to make a phone call
While it's free to call a Skype contact, using Skype to call real phone numbers abroad is by no means the cheapest way. For example, using Skype in the UK to call a US landline would cost 1.8p/min plus a 3.1p connection fee. Yet call via provider Localphone, and it's only 0.5p/min (no connection fee) – so always check competitors' rates.
Stats:
- Cost to use: Calls are free to other Skype users, or chargeable if calling a landline/mobile number not on Skype, but the app uses a small amount of data which may cost unless you're on wi-fi
- Can be used on: Mobiles, tablets, Windows computers, Macs, landline phones, some smart TVs, some games consoles
Free video calls to other Apple users
FACETIME FOR IPHONE, IPAD & MAC
If you've got an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you can make free video calls to other Apple users. Those with iOS 7 or later on their device can also make audio-only calls – "FaceTime Audio". Mac computers with OS X 10.6.6 or above are also compatible with FaceTime.
All new Apple devices come with FaceTime already installed, so you can start using it straightaway – just turn it on using your Apple ID
iPhone users with the 4S or newer can use the service over both wi-fi and with a data allowance (it only works over Wi-fi on the iPhone 4). Calling via 3G/4G will eat into your data limit, though the usage is minimal; Vodafone says a 10-minute FaceTime call will use about 30MB of mobile data.
Stats:
Cost to use: Calls are free, but the app uses a small amount of data which may cost unless you're on wi-fi
Can be used on: iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, Macs
Can be used on: iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, Macs
Calling and messaging all-in-one
Earlier this year popular instant messaging service WhatsApp launched free calling between its users. You can use it on iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry – the apps are free to download and use for the first year, after which it costs 79p/year.
The benefit of WhatsApp over its competitors is that so many people use it, and – unlike Facetime – it works across multiple mobile operating systems. It's also useful for having all your web chats and contacts in one place.
While WhatsApp Web lets you use the messaging function through a browser, web calling can only be done from the smartphone app. You also can't use WhatsApp for calling non-users, only for free calls (and messages) to others with the app.
Unfortunately, we've heard that audio quality isn't the best, and occasionally calls drop out unless you're on anything but the strongest of Wi-fi or data connection. Hopefully this will improve with time as it develops the service.
Stats:
- Cost to use: Calls are free, but the app uses a small amount of data which may cost unless you're on Wi-fi
- Can be used on: Mobiles, tablets, Windows computers, Macs
About 600 million people now use Viber after a rapid rise to global popularity. Like Skype, it lets you make free voice and video calls to friends and family who're fellow users.
You can use Viber on PCs, Macs, all mobile phones and tablets. To use it on a tablet or computer, you have to install it on your phone first.
To get it on your phone, download the free app and you can call Viber users anywhere in the world for zilch – it'll automatically recognise contacts in your phonebook that have it too, and list them within the app.
While you can't use Viber to make calls on a landline, its rates are at least cheap for calls from mobiles to non-users – via what it dubbs 'Viber Out' – from iPhone and Android devices.
We've also heard (literally) that call quality is better than you get with with some other providers.
Stats:
- Cost to use: Calls are free to other Viber users, or chargeable if calling a landline/mobile number not using Viber. The app uses a small amount of data which may cost unless on wi-fi
- Can be used on: Mobiles, tablets, Windows computers, Macs
Most competitive rates for international calls
VYKE
Another popular VoIP provider is Vyke. Like others here, it has a free smartphone app, which you can use to make cheap calls to landlines or mobiles over Wi-fi, or using your mobile 3G/4G connection.
Vyke works by transferring you to a network provider first (ie, BT), then transferring you to the number you called. The company says this improves the quality of calls, as opposed to a straight Wi-fi connection.
When we checked VoIP providers' pay-as-you-go rates across a number of countries, Vyke came out the cheapest for the majority of destinations. Alternatively, opt into its "VykeZone" and call any landline in its list of eligible countries – including Australia, China and the US – and pay 10p for an entire one-hour call.
You get your first 10 minutes worth of calls (to numbers in certain countries only) free to try out the service.
Stats:
- Cost to use: Cheap calls to mobiles and landlines, but the app uses a small amount of data which may cost unless you're on wi-fi
- Can be used on: iPhone, Android mobiles, Blackberry, iPads, tablets, Windows computers.
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